Opportunity analysis system and method for updating a computer inventory

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed for conducting an opportunity analysis for updating a computer inventory. Initially, a client computer inventory associated with a client computer is generated based on a scan. Next, an opportunity analysis is performed to identify update opportunities for the client computer inventory. In use, the opportunity analysis involves rules of a rule knowledge base.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] The present application is a continuation of an application filed Apr. 1, 2002 under Ser. No. 10/114,359 which, in turn, is a continuation of an application filed Feb. 16, 2001 under Ser. No. 09/785,676 which is now issued under U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,578 and which, in turn, is a continuation of an application filed Oct. 29, 1999 under Ser. No. 09/430,263 which is now issued under U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,199.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to computer systems and computer networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for marketing products based upon the detection and analysis of software and hardware components or peripherals present on a client computer.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] With the proliferation of Internet-based technology and sales, it has become increasingly important that companies carefully target their sales and marketing efforts toward appropriate and receptive audiences. Although broadcast print, television, radio, and online banner advertisements retain some effectiveness in winning new customers through exposure to sheer numbers, marketing evolution is leading toward the provision of product information based upon the user's behavior and preferences.

[0006] Online profiling coupled with advances in database technology and knowledge base techniques enables increasingly targeted communications with consumers based both upon the stated preferences of those consumers and their prior purchasing behavior.

[0007] Certain methods exist today for marketing products to consumers based upon the stated preferences of the consumer. By way of example, a software manufacturer may elect to collect preferences of consumers and potential consumers through a survey. Such a survey can be conducted through the mail, by phone interview, and/or through a Web site. For purposes of clarity in this example, this disclosure will use the example of a survey posted on a Web site. The software manufacturer places a survey on the Web site which is accessed and completed by the consumer. The software manufacturer generally provides some sort of incentive for the consumer to complete the survey. Results of the survey may be collected, stored, aggregated, and analyzed for the purpose of determining the behavior of the consumer. Based on this information, the software manufacturer may choose to send a print advertisement, email communication, or other marketing communication to the consumer based upon the answers to the questions provided on the survey. The marketing communication may be general, based upon grouping the responses into demographic groups, or may be individualized utilizing a knowledge-based determination of the consumer's preferences based upon that consumer's responses.

[0008] In another example, a consumer may purchase a new hardware item for a computer system for which the manufacturer includes a registration information packet. This registration information packet could be in the form of a registration card, requesting from the user of the computer system such information as name, address, and phone number and containing a number of questions designed to give the manufacturer insight into the consumer's purchasing behavior, profession, income, and so on. Hardware manufacturers may include an electronic version of the registration packet or may link to the registration packet to the Internet, where the information can be collected immediately into some sort of database storage. When the user returns the registration information to the manufacturer, the manufacturer will then have a record of the manufacturer's product purchased by the user in addition to any of the supplementary information requested and/or supplied by the consumer. Based upon the knowledge of what product the user purchased, when the user purchased the item, and any combination of the supplementary information, the manufacturer can choose to target marketing communications to this user. This technique of collecting registration information is not restricted to hardware manufacturers. Indeed, this collection and use of registration data for marketing purposes is common in all types of business, including products such as software, consumer electronics, appliances, and many other products not related to computer systems.

[0009] Disadvantageously, in typical existing mechanisms for collecting, storing, and analyzing consumer preferences, the process of generating notifications of new and related products can be time-consuming and imprecise. These methods of collecting consumer stated preferences and past purchasing behavior rely upon many factors, for example: the consumer responding at all to marketing surveys and/or registration information requests; the consumer accurately answering questions about previously purchased products and answering other system configuration-based questions; properly interpreting the consumer's stated preferences or observed behavior into relevant marketing tactics. To deliver hard-copy product notifications such as brochures, consumers are generally grouped into segments to minimize the number of different targeted product advertisements generated. If a preferred communication is email, the manufacturer and/or distributor must customize the email communication and send it after the fact. It would be more desirable for communications regarding the new or related product to be based on firm, timely knowledge of a consumer's computing environment and delivered in a timely manner.

[0010] A method for scanning the user's computer for the presence of certain software programs for the purpose of providing updates to those software programs is disclosed in the application, “Automatic Updating of Diverse Software Products on Multiple Client Computer Systems”, U.S. Ser. No. 08/660,488, filed on Jun. 7, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A similar method is currently in use at the Web site http://www.mcafee.com, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as of the filing date of the present patent application.

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for updating diverse software products on a user computer system similar to the method of Ser. No. 08/660,488. System 100 comprises a plurality of vendor computer systems 102 communicatively coupled via the Internet 106 to a service provider computer system 106 containing an update information database 108, to which a user computer 110 containing an update application is also coupled.

[0012] Service provider computer system 106 comprises, among other elements described in Ser. No. 08/660,488, an update information database 108. Update information database 108 contains information, such as update name, version, location, installation instructions and the like, about products for which updates are available. Client computer 110 comprises an update application 112 for periodically communicating with the service provider computer system 106 for checking against the contents of the client computer 110 products specified in the update information database 108. If a product specified in the product information database 108 is identified on the client computer 110, the client computer is placed in communication with the relevant vendor computer system 102 to download or install the software update.

[0013] However, it would be desirable to provide a system for marketing software, hardware, and related products to users of computer systems based upon the user's current computing environment configuration.

[0014] It would be further desirable to provide a system for the marketing of products that are not yet detected on the user's computer, based upon a combination of the absence and/or presence of hardware peripherals and/or software on or connected to the client computer.

[0015] It would be further desirable to provide a system that is relevant and compelling to the individual user by ensuring that the related product information provided is based upon the individual user's computing environment configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A system and method are disclosed for conducting an opportunity analysis for updating a computer inventory. Initially, a client computer inventory associated with a client computer is generated based on a scan. Next, an opportunity analysis is performed to identify update opportunities for the client computer inventory. In use, the opportunity analysis involves rules of a rule knowledge base.

[0017] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following detailed description and the accompanying figures which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system for providing diverse software product updates to a client computer according to the prior art;

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a system for marketing products according to a preferred embodiment;

[0021] FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2 are flowcharts of the overall method of providing marketing information in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a client computer following the execution of the method of a preferred embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a product knowledge base according to a preferred embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 6 is an example of a user profile in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 7 shows the elements of an inventory database on client computer according to a preferred embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the process of generating an inventory database according to a preferred embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process of executing a scan method to create the inventory database according to a preferred embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a marketing knowledge base according to a preferred embodiment;

[0029]FIG. 11 is an illustration of the process of detecting marketing opportunities according to a preferred embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 12 shows a list of marketing opportunities according to the preferred embodiment; and

[0031]FIG. 13 shows a sample display of marketing information to a user based upon the configuration of a client computer.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0032] A system and method for actively marketing products to a user of a client computer that is generally coupled over a network to a service provider computer system are disclosed. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments and applications are provided only as examples and various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0033] Overview and General Architecture of a System for Active Marketing

[0034]FIG. 2 shows the architecture of a system 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment. In system 200, a plurality of vendor computer systems 202 is communicatively coupled by a network 204, such as the Internet, to a service provider computer system 206 and to a client computer 208.

[0035] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, service provider computer system 206 hosts an active marketing host program 210, a product information database 212, a marketing rule knowledge base 214, and an opportunity detection object 216. Opportunity detection object 216 further comprises a scan method or engine 218, an opportunity analysis method or engine 220, and a presentation method or engine 222.

[0036] The client computer 208 comprises a plurality of hardware items or peripherals 224 and an addressable memory 226. Resident in the addressable memory may be a plurality of client applications 228, a plurality of drivers 230, a registry 232, a plurality of configuration files 234, and an operating system 236. It is important to note that hardware items or peripherals 224 may be any hardware device, for example, one that is generally connected to the client computer 208 such as a hard disk or a monitor, or one that may be temporarily connected to the client computer 208, such as a Palm Computing® connected organizer or an Iomega® JAZ drive.

[0037] The product information database 212 contains information regarding one or more products for which a marketing opportunity exists. In a preferred embodiment, the product information database 212 is downloaded to the client computer upon execution of the active marketing host program 210. Preferably, the downloading is initiated by the user at the client computer. The product information database 212 is further described below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0038] The marketing rule knowledge base 214 contains for each product in the product information database 212 information about the marketing opportunities for that product, including a set of conditions that indicates a match for a marketing opportunity. In a preferred embodiment, the marketing rule knowledge base 214 is downloaded to the client computer upon execution of the active marketing host program 210. The marketing rule knowledge base 214 is described in further detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the opportunity detection object 216 contains the overall operation of a method for marketing based upon the detection and analysis of files and/or other configurations, hardware or software, present on the client computer. The opportunity detection object 216 is preferably downloaded to the client computer 208 upon execution of the active marketing host program 210 and may be executed locally thereon in a preferred embodiment. Upon download, the opportunity detection object 216 is installed into the addressable memory 226 of the client computer 208, either in whole or in parts, preferably with a unique identifier. The opportunity detection object 216 may be implemented as Active X controls, Java applets, Perl scripts or any other suitable client-side applications. The opportunity detection object 216 may be instantiated by referring to its unique identifier or the unique identifiers of its component parts through an Application Programming Interface (API). By way of example but not limitation, a Web browser on the client computer 208 may read a Web page and encounter a VBScript directive to run the opportunity detection object 216 using its unique identifier. This VBScript directive may be interpreted through the Web browser's API and the opportunity detection object 216 is executed on the client computer 208.

[0040] The methods 218, 220, 222 of the opportunity detection object 216 collectively serve to scan the current configuration of the client computer 208, analyze the current configuration of the client computer 208 for marketing opportunities, and present marketing information to a user of the client computer 208. The methods 218, 220, 222 of the opportunity detection object 216 may be called separately during the execution of the opportunity detection object 216.

[0041] Each method of the opportunity detection object 216 will now be described in more detail. In particular, the scan method 218 analyzes the client computer 208 to detect the presence of hardware items 224, client applications 228 or other properties of the client computer 208, such as the operating system 236. If the scan method 218 detects the parameters specified in the product information database 212 indicating the presence of a product on the client computer 208, the scan method 218 optionally records the match. The scan method 218 is described in further detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0042] The opportunity analysis method 220 analyzes the results of the scan method 218 against data in the marketing rule knowledge base 214. The opportunity analysis method 220 determines whether the appropriate conditions exist for marketing a particular product or type of product to the user of the client computer 208. When an opportunity is detected, the opportunity analysis method 220 optionally records information for the match.

[0043] The presentation method 222 analyzes the results of the opportunity analysis method 220 and provides information regarding related products to the user of the client computer 208. It is important to note that the presentation method 222 may be executed each time the client computer 208 connects to the service provider computer system 206 in order to provide contextual advertising to the user through, for example, the execution of a client-side control that displays advertising campaigns relevant to the configuration of the client computer 208 connected to the service provider computer system 206.

[0044] It is important to note that it is not necessary to download the product information database 212, the marketing rule knowledge base 214, and/or the opportunity detection object 216 to the client computer 208. These items could remain on the service provider computer system 206 and run across the network 204 against the client computer 208. However downloading these items to the client computer 208 reduces the bandwidth requirements of executing programs across the network over a communications device, such as a modem.

[0045] Overview and General Method for Active Marketing

[0046] FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2 illustrate an overall operation 300 of the method for marketing products and/or services to the user at the client computer, preferably utilizing the system as shown in and described with reference to FIG. 2. Although the system and method of the present invention are generally described in terms of marketing products, it is to be understood that services, tickets, and the like may be marketed. At step 302, a service provider compiles related product marketing information onto the service provider computer system in the form of the product information database and the marketing information database. This information may be compiled by experts, either manually or electronically, preferably while utilizing product presence conditions that indicate the presence of a product on the client computer and marketing opportunity conditions on the client computer that indicate an opportunity to market a product to the user of the client computer. Typically, the conditions are predetermined and stored in the service provider computer system.

[0047] At step 304, the client computer connects to a Web site located on the service provider computer system. In a preferred embodiment, the service provider may request the user to initiate the scan of the client computer by providing a link to initiate the active marketing host program resident on the service provider computer system. In another preferred embodiment, the act of visiting the service provider computer system would initiate the active marketing host program, which would be a more intrusive way of marketing products and/or services to the user of the client computer.

[0048] Optionally, the user of the client computer completes a user profile at step 306. The implementation of the user profile is flexible. By way of example, but not limitation, the user profile may include a number of predefined profile options provided by the service provider computer system from which the user may select. Alternately, the user profile may comprise a series of questions designed to elicit further stated preference information from the user of the client computer, such as user address, phone number, ZIP code, and the like. In another preferred embodiment, the user profile may be a combination of predefined profile and stated preference elements. The user profile or relevant elements thereof are optionally downloaded to the client computer for use by the opportunity detection object, preferably by the opportunity analysis method.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, at step 308, the active marketing host program resident on the service provider computer system analyzes the client computer to determine whether the current version of the opportunity detection object is found on the client computer. If the current version of the opportunity detection object is not found on the client computer, the version of the opportunity detection object resident on the service provider computer system may be downloaded to the client computer, at step 310. Alternately, if the current version of the opportunity detection object is found on the client computer, the opportunity detection object is not downloaded. In another aspect of a preferred embodiment (not shown), the user of the client computer may be informed by means of a message transmitted to the client computer whether or not the opportunity detection object is current and given the option of executing the download step 310 if the opportunity detection object is not current. An affirmative response would result in downloading the opportunity detection object to the client computer.

[0050] It is also important to note that the opportunity detection object may be downloaded in a single connection between the client computer and the service provider computer system or may be downloaded in multiple connections across the network.

[0051] Once the opportunity detection object, and preferably the current version thereof, is resident on the client computer, the active marketing host program checks to determine whether the current version of the product information database is detected on the client computer at step 312. If the current version of the product information database is not found on the client computer, the version of the product information database resident on the service provider computer system is optionally downloaded to the client computer at step 314. If the current version of the product information database is found on the client computer, the product information database is not downloaded.

[0052] Once the product information database, and preferably the current version thereof, is found on the client computer, the method progresses to step 316, which begins the analysis of the client computer to determine which products in the product information database are present on the client computer. According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis of the client computer is performed on the client computer using the opportunity detection object on the client computer. However, an alternate preferred embodiment performs the analysis across the network using procedures stored and executed on the service provider computer system to analyze the client computer.

[0053] At step 318 the scan method is executed to analyze the client computer and create an inventory database (reference numeral 402 as shown and to be described with reference to FIG. 4). This inventory database is stored on the client computer and is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 7. In a preferred embodiment, the inventory database remains on the client computer and is not transmitted across the network to a receiving computer system in order to preserve the privacy of the user. However, in another preferred embodiment in which the service provider desires to provide user client configuration directly to vendors, the inventory database may be transmitted to the service provider computer system or to one or more vendor computer systems. A preferred embodiment of the scan method is detailed in reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0054] At step 320 of a preferred embodiment, the active marketing host program searches for the presence of the current version of the marketing rule knowledge base on the client computer. If the current version of the marketing rule knowledge base is not found on the client computer, the marketing rule knowledge base on the service provider computer system is downloaded to the client computer in step 322. If the current version of the marketing rule knowledge base is found on the client computer, the marketing rule knowledge base is not downloaded.

[0055] It is also important to note that the marketing rule knowledge base may be downloaded as a single file containing all marketing opportunities in a single connection between the client computer and the service provider computer system or it may be downloaded as multiple files based on the products contained in the inventory database that may be downloaded separately using multiple connections across the network.

[0056] Each of the analyzing the client computer steps 308, 312, and 318, and the corresponding downloading steps 310, 314, and 322, need not be executed in the order described and may be completed in any suitable order. For example, each of the analyzing steps 308, 312, and 318 may be completed and then any resultant downloading steps may then be executed, either in separate steps or in a single combined downloading step.

[0057] Further, although not shown, as noted above, each of steps 308, 312, and 318 of analyzing the client computer to determine whether the current version of the opportunity detection object, the product information database, and the marketing rule knowledge base, respectively, is found on the client computer, as well as the corresponding step of downloading such data to the client computer in steps 310, 314, and 322, respectively, may be optional. For example, the user of the client computer may alternatively be informed by means of a message transmitted to the client computer whether or not a particular object or database is current and, if it is not current, the user is given the option of executing the corresponding download step 310, 314, or 322. An affirmative response would result in the execution of the download step 310, 314, or 322 to the client computer 208.

[0058] In another alternative embodiment, the scanning, opportunity analysis, and presentation method or engine of the opportunity detection object may each be optionally downloaded. In other words, although it is preferred that the opportunity detection object be downloaded or not downloaded to the client computer as a whole, each of the components of the opportunity detection object may be individually downloaded or not downloaded. As an example, the scanning engine can be downloaded while the opportunity analysis engine and the presentation engine are not downloaded to the client computer.

[0059] Once the opportunity detection object, the product information database, and the marketing rule knowledge base, and preferably the current versions thereof, are found on the client computer, the opportunity analysis method is executed at step 324. In step 324, the inventory database is analyzed against the marketing rule knowledge base to create a list of marketing opportunities (reference numeral 404 as shown and to be described with reference to FIG. 4). The opportunity analysis method identifies a marketing opportunity for a related product by analyzing the information contained in the marketing knowledge base pertaining to the presence or absence of one or many products in the inventory database. The opportunity analysis method is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

[0060] At step 326, the presentation method executes to present the user of the client computer with marketing information regarding products recorded in the list of marketing opportunities. The presentation method will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 13.

[0061] The user may be presented with one or many types of information regarding the marketing opportunity identified based upon the configuration of the client computer at step 328 including, but not limited to, an option to purchase products, advertisements pertaining to the products, further marketing information about the products, an opportunity to search for further related products, and the like.

[0062] Contents of Client Computer after Process 300

[0063]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the contents of the client computer 208 at the conclusion of the process 300 of a preferred embodiment as described in FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2. The hardware items 224, client applications 226 and other items originally comprising the addressable memory 226 of the client computer 208 preferably remain unaltered on the client computer 208. The client computer 208 preferably further contains the product information database 212, the marketing rule knowledge base 214, and the opportunity detection object 216, and more preferably the current versions thereof, as downloaded by the active marketing host program to the client computer 208, described above with reference to FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2. Further, the client computer 208 preferably contains the inventory database 402 as generated by the opportunity detection object as well as the list of marketing opportunities 404 as generated by the presentation method, described above with reference to FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the user profile 400 is completed by the user of the client computer 208. This user profile is optionally downloaded to the client computer 208 and is used by the opportunity analysis method 220 to further define marketing opportunities on the client computer 208. It is important to note that any of the methods 218, 220, 222 of the opportunity detection object 216 may optionally utilize the user profile 400 to further determine information about the user of the client computer 208.

[0065] The inventory database 402 is created by the scan method 218 (executed at step 318 illustrated in FIG. 3-2) using instructions embedded in the scan method 218 itself and optionally using further information compiled in the product information database 212.

[0066] The list of marketing opportunities 404 is generated by the opportunity analysis method 220 by comparing the conditions in the marketing rule knowledge base 214 to the inventory database 402 on the client computer 208.

[0067] Product Information Database 212: Product Summary Files (PSFs)

[0068]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the product information database 212 in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The products illustrated in FIG. 5 are software program A, software program B, software program C, hardware item D, hardware item E, hardware item F, hardware item G, and hardware H.

[0069] The product information database 212 comprises product summary or signature files (PSFs) for each product. Each PSF comprises a detection command 500 and a product signature. The detection command 500 for each PSF comprises a command sub-component of the scan method that, like the opportunity detection object, may be implemented as Active X controls, Java applets, Perl scripts or any other suitable client-side application. The product signature comprises the response and/or values that indicate the presence of a product on the client computer. It is important to note that a PSF may comprise multiple detection commands 500 and/or multiple product signatures.

[0070] Examples of PSFs are illustrations in FIG. 5. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates a PSF for each of software programs A-C 502, 504, 506 and a PSF for each of hardware items D-H 508, 510, 512, 514, and 538.

[0071] Illustrated, also, are examples of product signature types contained in the PSFs, as described in a preferred embodiment: an executable-type product signature 516, a registry-type product signature 518, an initialization type product signature 520, a driver-type product signature 522. It is important to note that other product signature types are possible and that the specific product signature types discussed herein are provided merely for the purposes of illustration.

[0072] The executable-type product signature 516 generally comprises executable file properties that indicate the existence of a product on the client computer 208. Examples of executable file properties illustrated are: an executable name 522, an executable file size 524, and an executable timestamp 526. Other file properties may be included in the executable-type product signature 516. To identify the executable-type product signature 516 for software program A, the scan method 218 calls an Active X control specified by the detection command 500, for example, that searches the hard drive of the client computer 208 for the executable name PROGRAMA.EXE with a last modified date of Jan. 1, 1999 and a size value between 50 KB and 100 KB. If a file is found by the scan method 218 on the client computer 208 that meets these criteria, it constitutes a product match and information for product A is written into the inventory database 402.

[0073] The registry-type product signature 518 generally comprises a registry entry 528 that indicates the existence of a product on the client computer 208. To identify a registry-type product signature 518 for software program B, the scan method 218 calls an Active X control specified by the detection command 500, for example, to scan the Windows registry of the client computer 208 for a key that matches the pattern specified in the product signature 518. For example, a sample registry-type signature file 518 may match the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ACME\PROGRAMB\PRODUCT_ID. If a registry entry is found by the scan method 218 on the client computer 208 that meets this criterion, it constitutes a product match and information for product B is written into the inventory database 402.

[0074] The initialization-type product signature 520 generally comprises initialization file properties that indicate the existence of a product on the client computer 208. Examples of initialization file properties illustrated are: an initialization file name 530, an initialization parameter name 532, and an initialization parameter value 534. Other properties may be included in the initialization-type product signature 520. To identify the initialization-type product signature for software product C, the scan method 218 may call an Active X control specified by the detection command 500, for example, that searches the addressable memory 226 of the client computer 208 for the initialization parameter file with the name PROGRAMC.INI. Based on the results of the Active X control, a second Active X control might read PROGRAMC.INI, searching for a parameter name/value pair of “INSTALL_DIRECTORY=C:/WINDOWS/PROGRAMS/PROGRAMC”. If a file containing this parameter name/value pair is found by the scan method 218 on the client computer 208, it constitutes a product match and information for product C is written into the inventory database 402.

[0075] The driver-type product signature 522 generally comprises driver file properties that indicate the existence of a product on the client computer 208. Examples of driver file properties illustrated are: a driver file name 536, a driver file size 538, and a driver file timestamp 540. Other properties may be included in the driver-type product signature 522. To identify the driver-type product signature for hardware item D the scan method 218 may call an Active X control specified by the detection command 500, for example, that searches the addressable memory 226 of the client computer 208 for the driver with the name HARDWARED_DRIVER.DRV that has a timestamp of Jan. 1, 1999 and a size of 10 KB. If a file matching these criteria is found on the client computer 208, it constitutes a product match and information for product D is written into the inventory database 402.

[0076] Another type of PSF is the command-type product signature 536 illustrated by the PSF for hardware item H 538. The command-type product signature 536 generally comprises a command response 540 that indicates the existence of a product on the client computer 208 and, optionally, may provide additional information about the existing product. To identify a command-type product signature 540 for hardware item H, the scan method 218 calls an Active X control, for example, to elicit a response from a hardware item on the client computer 208. For example, a sample command-type signature file 540 may call an Active X control specified by the detection command 500 to determine the number of MB available on the hard disk of the client computer 208. The resulting value of the detection command 500 is written into the inventory database 402 along with other information for the hardware match.

[0077] The PSFs contained in the product information database 212 allow the opportunity detection object 216 to identify products on the client computer 208. Each product in the product information database 212 is summarized by a PSF containing information such as the product name, vendor name, valid platforms. Each PSF optionally also includes the main product signatures and the parameters that indicate which elements of the scan method 218 should be called to identify the elements of the product signatures.

[0078] For example, the PSF for software program A 502 is the first example of such a PSF in the product information database 212. The PSF for software program A 502 contains information about software program A, including the executable-type product signature 516.

[0079] Another potential product is illustrated in the PSF for software program B 504. Similar to the PSF for software program A 502, the PSF for software program B 504 contains information about software program B, including the registry-type product signature 518.

[0080] Another product is illustrated in a PSF for software program C 506. The PSF for software program C 506 contains information about software program C including the initialization-type product signature 520.

[0081] Another possible product type—this one a hardware product—is illustrated in the PSF for hardware item D 508. The PSF for hardware D 508 contains information about hardware D including the driver-type product signature 522.

[0082] Executable-, registry-, and initialization-type product signatures 516, 518, 520 are not limited to use by software programs. For example, the PSFs 510, 512, 514 for hardware items E, F, and G contain the executable-type product signature 516, the registry-type product signature 518, and the initialization-type product signature 520, respectively.

[0083] The PSF for a product may use one or more product signatures. In a preferred embodiment, each product has a primary signature supported by secondary signatures designed to verify that the main signature accurately identified the product. Below is a sample of a PSF for a software product, Microsoft Word 2000, which uses an executable-type product signature 516 as a primary signature and performs other checks against the executable as a secondary validation. The sample PSF also utilizes a registry-type product signature 518 as a secondary signature.

[0084] Sample PSF for Microsoft Word 2000:

[0085] ;Word2000.psf

[0086] ;modified the product name added the ‘edition’, Last Modified, Arun Aug. 21, 1999

[0087] [Product Details]

[0088] Product Name=Microsoft Word 2000 Standard Edition

[0089] Vendor Name=Microsoft Corporation

[0090] Product Type=APPLICATION

[0091] Main Signatures=Sig_(—)1

[0092] Verifications=Ver_Check_(—)1, Ver_Check_(—)2

[0093] Platforms=W95,W98

[0094] [Sig_(—)1]

[0095] Signature Type=SIG_FILE

[0096] Signature Data=winword.exe

[0097] [Ver_Check_(—)1 ]

[0098] Verification Type=REG_CHECK

[0099] MajorKey=HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

[0100] MinorKey=SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

[0101] SubKey=*

[0102] ValueName=DisplayName

[0103] ValueType=STRING

[0104] Condition=STRNOCASECOMPARE, “Microsoft Office 2000 Standard”

[0105] [Ver_Check_(—)2]

[0106] Verification Type=VERSION_CHECK

[0107] File Name=EXE_DIR\winword.exe

[0108] Condition=VER_RANGE, “9.0.0000”-“10.0.0000”

[0109] It is important to note that the function of the PSF need not necessarily be specified entirely in the product information database 212. The format of the product information database 212 described here is intended to illustrate the functions of identifying a product based on a set of criteria and may be embodied in any number of ways. For example, the scan method 218 may, for some or all signature types, comprise all elements of the PSF needed to detect the presence of a product on the client computer 208, including the detection command 500 and product signature. In another preferred embodiment, the PSFs contained in the product information database 212 may be used to supplement information determined by the detection command for each product in the scan method 218.

[0110] User Profile 400

[0111]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the user profile 400. In the user profile illustrated, a plurality of predefined profile options 602 are presented for selection to the user of the client computer. The purpose of the user profile 400 in a preferred embodiment is the collection of further information about the user of the client computer 208 that may optionally be used to supplement the configuration information mined from the client computer 208 through the execution of the scan method 218.

[0112] As shown, a number of predefined user profile options 602 are provided for selection by the user. The predefined user profile options may include, for example, a bargain hunter user profile, a business user profile, a professional user profile, a home user profile, a game player user profile, a road warrior user profile.

[0113] In another embodiment, the user profile 400 comprises a series of questions designed to elicit further stated preference information from the user of the client computer 208, such as user address, phone number, ZIP code, and the like. Alternately, the user profile 400 is a combination of predefined profile and stated preference elements. It is important to note that the user profile may also contain other information about the client computer, the files thereon, and/or the hardware peripherals associated therewith. The contents of the user profile 400 are not limited by the examples provided herein.

[0114] The user profile 400 or relevant elements thereof are optionally downloaded to the client computer 208 for use by the opportunity detection object 216 during the execution of the opportunity analysis method 220.

[0115] Inventory Database 402

[0116]FIG. 7 illustrates the inventory database 402, preferably on the client computer 208, resulting from the execution of the scan method 218. The inventory database 402 comprises a product record which further comprises an existing product ID 700, an existing product category 702, and an existing product property 704. Note that the product record in the inventory database 402 may comprise one or more existing product categories 702 and/or one or more existing product properties 704.

[0117] The inventory database 402 in this illustration comprises a product record for software program A 706, a product record for software program C 708, a product record for hardware item D 710, a product record for hardware item F 712, and a product record for hardware item H 714. Shown for each illustrated product record are the existing product ID 700, the existing product category, and sample values for the existing product properties.

[0118] The existing product category 702 identifies the matched product in the inventory database 402 as a particular type of product, for example, software, hard disk, CPU, operating system, hardware peripheral, and the like. Existing product properties 704 include, but are not limited to, an existing product description 716, an existing product vendor 718, an existing product version 720, an existing product information 722, an existing product type 724, a measurement of size 726, and a measurement of free units 728.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, the value resulting from the analysis of the combination of the existing product category 702 and the existing product property 704 determines the opportunity found by the opportunity analysis method 220 and displayed to the user of the client computer 208.

[0120] Scan Method & Process for Generating Client Computer Inventory Database

[0121]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the scan method 218 generating the inventory database 402 according to a preferred embodiment. The scan method 218 compares the contents of the client computer 208 comprised of hardware items 224 and items such as client applications 228, drivers 230, the registry 232, configuration files 234, and operating system 238 in the addressable memory 226 to the PSF for each product in the product information database 212. If the scan method 218 detects the appropriate response from the detection command(s) 500 for each PSF, a product match is identified. The scan method 218 then writes a product record for the matched product to the inventory database 402. The product record for each product comprises information regarding that product, derived from the product information database 212. This information in each product record in the inventory database 402 includes, but is not limited to, the existing product ID 700 for the matched product, the existing product category 702 for the matched product, and the existing product properties 704, such as existing product description 716, existing product vendor 718, existing product version 720, and the like.

[0122]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of illustrating a process 900 of the scan method 218 to generate the inventory database 402 by comparing the contents of the client computer 208 to the product information database 212. The process commences at step 902 when the scan method 218 is initiated. At step 904, the scan method 218 commences the evaluation of the PSFs contained in the product information database 212. At step 906, the scan method 218 executes the detection command 500 indicated by the PSF in order to detect the presence of the product indicated by that PSF. At step 908, the scan method 218 evaluates the product signature in the PSF and compares the product signature elements to the contents of the client computer 208. If it does not find the product signature elements in the contents of the client computer 208, the scan method 218 returns to step 904 to evaluate the next PSF in the product information database 212. If the product signature elements are found in the contents of the client computer 208 in step 908, the scan method 218 optionally writes the existing product ID 700, the existing product category 702, and existing product properties 704, to the inventory database 402 in step 910. At step 912, the scan method 218 determines whether there are more PSFs in the product information database 212 to evaluate. If there are more PSFs to evaluate, the scan method 218 returns to step 904 to evaluate the next PSF in the product information database 212 repeating steps 904, 906, 908, 910, and 912 until a negative response is returned at step 912 and the scan method 218 terminates. In other words, once all of the PSFs have been evaluated, the scan method 218 ends.

[0123] Marketing Rule Knowledge Base 214

[0124]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the marketing rule knowledge base 214 in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The marketing rule knowledge base 214 comprises one or more opportunity rule files 1000. Each opportunity rule file 1000 comprises an opportunity key 1002, a related product ID 1004, and related product marketing information 1006. The opportunity key 1002 specifies the conditions under which an opportunity match occurs and preferably comprises an existing product ID 700 and a match value 1008 for that existing product ID 700. The opportunity key 1002 may comprise one or many existing product IDs 700 and/or match values 1008.

[0125] Related product marketing information 1006 comprises, for example, a related product description 1010, a related product location 1012, a related product search string 1014, and a related product advertisement campaign 1016. Additional related product marketing information 1006 is possible and may be included in the opportunity rule file 1000. It is important to note that there may be a set of related product information 1006 for purchasing a related product and a separate set of related product information 1006 for providing more information to the user about the related product. It is noted that “related product” refers to a product to be marketed but not necessarily related to one or more existing products on the client computer 208. Additionally, by way of example, but not limitation, the related product may be a product, such as a hardware item, a software application, a book pertaining to an existing or related product, or may be a service, such as support, training, or the like for an existing or related product. A related product may also be a product that is marketed to the user based upon an inferred profile of the user of the client computer 208 resulting from the analysis conducted by the opportunity detection object 216. For example, if the configuration detected on the client computer 208 is determined to infer that the user of the client computer 208 is a “road warrior”, meaning that the user requires both power and mobility in computing products, the related product marketed to that user may be a handheld computing device such as a Palm Computing® connected organizer.

[0126] The rules for determining the existence of a marketing opportunity are developed by the service provider and are compiled in the marketing rule knowledge base 214. This expertise is compiled manually or electronically and utilizes data relating to what conditions on the client computer 208 indicate an opportunity to market a related product to the user of the client computer 208. In addition, related product information supplied by vendors of hardware, software, and related products as part of an agreement between the service provider and the vendor or distributor may also be utilized. Further, related product information for products may be independently researched by the service provider for the purposes of providing a useful marketing service for related products to the user of the client computer 208.

[0127] The information contained in the marketing rule knowledge base 214 is structured to enable the identification of marketing opportunities based upon the presence or absence of products in the inventory database 402 on the client computer 208. The opportunity key 1002 contains the existing product ID 700 of at least one product that is evaluated against the inventory database 402. The opportunity key 1002 further contains the match value 1008 corresponding to the existing product ID 700. The possible match values 1008 are REQUIRED, OPTIONAL, ABSENT, or a specified or predetermined value of a measurable characteristic resulting from the execution of the detection command 500. Examples of measurable characteristics include processor speed, memory, modem speed.

[0128] Each match value 1008 indicates a condition for the presence of the existing product ID 700 in the inventory database 402. The match value 1008 of REQUIRED indicates that for a successful opportunity match to occur, the corresponding existing product ID 700 must be present in the inventory database 402. The match value 1008 of OPTIONAL indicates that the presence of any of the corresponding existing product IDs 700 with an OPTIONAL match value 1008 will constitute a successful match. The match value 1008 of ABSENT indicates that for a successful opportunity match to occur, the corresponding existing product ID 700 must be absent from the inventory database 402. If the match value 1008 is designated as a specified value resulting from the execution of the detection command 500, the opportunity analysis method 220 matches the value as specified. Note that the match value 1008 may be an exact value or a range of values. In addition, the match value 1008 may be a relative number, such as a percentage of available memory.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment, the opportunity key 1002 may contain one or more existing product IDs 700 each corresponding to a match value 1008. By way of example, the opportunity rule file 1000 for opportunity A has the opportunity key 1002 of a single existing product ID 700 with a match value 1008 of REQUIRED. Thus, when the inventory database 402 is evaluated against the marketing rule knowledge base 214, only if the existing product ID 700 is found in a product record in the inventory database 402 that matches an existing product ID 700 in the opportunity key 1002 for an opportunity rule file 1000 in the marketing rule knowledge base 214 is the opportunity is considered to be matched.

[0130] In another example, the opportunity rule file 1000 for opportunity B has the opportunity key 1002 comprising multiple existing product IDs 700. One existing product ID 700 has an associated match value 1008 of REQUIRED. A second existing product ID 700 has an associated match value 1008 of ABSENT. Thus when the inventory database 402 is evaluated against the marketing rule knowledge base 214, the first existing product ID 700 must be found in the inventory database 402 while the second existing product ID 700 must be absent from the inventory database 402 in order for the opportunity to match.

[0131] In yet another example, the opportunity rule file 1000 for opportunity C has the opportunity key 1002 comprising multiple existing product IDs 700. One existing product ID 700 has an associated match value 1008 of REQUIRED. In addition, two existing product IDs 700 have associated match values 1008 of OPTIONAL. Thus, when the inventory database 402 is evaluated against the marketing rule knowledge base 214, the existing product ID 700 with the corresponding match value 1008 REQUIRED must be detected and at least one of the existing product IDs 700 with the corresponding match value 1008 of OPTIONAL must be detected to constitute an opportunity match. If the existing product ID 700 with the match value 1008 of REQUIRED is not present, the opportunity does not match, even if one or all of the existing product IDs 700 with match values 1008 of OPTIONAL are detected. Note that a match value 1008 of OPTIONAL may alternatively indicate that none of the optional existing product IDs 700 need be detected, for example, rather than that at least one of the optional existing product IDs 700 must be detected for an opportunity match to occur.

[0132] In another example, the opportunity rule file 1000 for opportunity D has the opportunity key 1002 of a single existing product ID 700 with a match value 1008 of a specific value. Thus, when the inventory database 402 is evaluated against the marketing rule knowledge base 214, if the specified value is detected in the inventory database 402 the opportunity is considered to be matched. As noted previously, the specified value of the opportunity key 1002 may be an exact value or a range of values, and may be represented relatively, e.g. free memory as a percentage of total memory. To illustrate a case where the specified value is a range of values, if free space on a hard disk less than or equal to 30% based on the results of the detection command 500, the opportunity is considered to be matched. As another example, the value specified may be less than or equal to 300 MHz for the speed of the processor.

[0133] The related product ID 1004 in the opportunity rule file 1000 is the name of the product or service to be marketed to the user of the client computer 208. An opportunity match between the inventory database 402 and the marketing rule knowledge base 214 results in the related product ID 1004 and its associated related product marketing information 1006 being marketed to the user.

[0134] The related product marketing information 1006 optionally comprises the related product description 1010, related product location 1012, related product search string 1014, and any applicable related product advertisement campaign 1016. The related product marketing information 1006 specified here is done so by way of example and is not meant to limit the types of related product marketing information 1006 that can be included in the opportunity rule file 1000 for any product marketing opportunity.

[0135] The related product description 1010 may contain information about the related product, such as version number, manufacturer, distributor, advertisement campaign information, installation instructions, pricing, additional marketing information and the like.

[0136] The related product location 1012 may be a URL location at which the related product is available for download, a location where additional marketing information is available, or a location from which the product may be purchased (for example, from the vendor computer system 202).

[0137] The related product search string 1014 may be used to search external systems for the related product. In a preferred embodiment, this related search string 1014 may include the related product ID 1004 and required parameters and format that are sent as search criteria to a search engine on the vendor computer system 202 for purposes of retrieving purchase or further marketing information regarding the related product. The location of the external search engine is specified as a component in the related product marketing information 1006. In another preferred embodiment, the related product search string 1014 is optimized for the external search engine to which it will be sent, including the search engine-specific search key that will result in the match desired by the service provider.

[0138] The related product marketing information 1006 may also contain the related product advertisement campaign 1016 specifying what information to provide to the client computer 208 advertising a related product. In a preferred embodiment, the related product advertisement campaign 1016 may be parameters sent to the advertising server on the service provider computer system 206. The advertising server then interprets the parameters and returns the value to the client computer 208.

[0139] All components of the related product marketing information 1006 are optional. Any combination of the exemplary components presented above may be present in any given opportunity rule file 1000 for a marketing opportunity in the marketing rule knowledge base 214.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, some or all components of the related product marketing information 1006 may be stored as parameters on the client computer 208. These parameters may optionally be sent to the service provider computer system 206 upon which may reside a marketing information server. The marketing information server in a preferred embodiment processes the parameters received from the client computer 208 and delivers to the client computer 208 relevant marketing information based upon those parameters. For example, the related product location 1012 for a matched opportunity may be stored as one or more parameters in the client computer 208. When the presentation method 222 displays information to the user of the client computer 208, the parameter of the related product location 1012 is transmitted to the marketing information server, which returns a set of instructions to the client computer Web browser for the display of the appropriate URL and/or graphic for the commerce opportunity and/or advertisement. Advantageously, this preferred embodiment may allow the service provider to track opportunities passed through to vendor computer systems 202 and may provide increased flexibility in maintaining the most up-to-date product marketing information.

[0141] Where they are explicitly included in an opportunity rule file 1000, the links to URLs contained in the related product information 1006 are preferably maintained by the service provider. A method for ensuring that links to URLs contained in the related product information 1006 are valid is detailed in the application, “Automatic Updating of Diverse Software Products on Multiple Client Computer Systems”, U.S. Ser. No. 08/660,488, filed with the USPTO on Jun. 7, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0142] Marketing Opportunity Analysis Method 202 and List of Marketing Opportunities 404 Generated Thereby

[0143]FIG. 11 is an illustration of the opportunity analysis method 220 that identifies marketing opportunity matches on the client computer 208. The opportunity analysis method 220 compares the marketing rule knowledge base 214 and, optionally, the user profile 400, with the inventory database 402 that resulted from the execution of the scan method 218. The results of the opportunity analysis method 220 are written to the list of marketing opportunities 404. The list of marketing opportunities 404 comprises multiple opportunity match records and is described below in detail with reference to FIG. 12.

[0144] The opportunity analysis method 220 evaluates the opportunity rule file(s) 1000 in the marketing rule knowledge base 214 to determine whether the conditions present on the client computer 208 match the opportunity keys 1008 in each opportunity rule file 1000. For each successful match of the opportunity key 1008 of an opportunity rule file 1000 in the marketing rule knowledge base 214, the opportunity analysis method 220 preferably records the following information specified by the opportunity analysis method 220 into the list of marketing opportunities 404: the existing product ID 700, the related product ID 1004, and related product marketing information 1006.

[0145] Optionally, the opportunity analysis method 220 additionally evaluates the user profile 400 along with the marketing rule knowledge base 214 against the inventory database 402. When the user profile 400 is considered by the opportunity analysis method 220, the preferences in the user profile 400 that are predefined, stated, and/or inferred are evaluated to further define the marketing information to be presented to the user of the client computer 208. By way of example, but not limitation, if the opportunity analysis method 220 identifies the opportunity match for marketing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through the detection in the inventory database 402 of the correct opportunity key 1002 for the opportunity rule file 1000 in the marketing rule knowledge base 214, the opportunity analysis method 220 may utilize a stated preference in the user profile 400 such as the user's ZIP code to market a more specific opportunity to the user. Opportunities further specified by information in the user profile 400 need not be based upon explicitly stated preferences but may be based upon information inferred from any stated preferences given by the user in the user profile 400.

[0146]FIG. 12 illustrates the list of marketing opportunities 404 generated as a result of the opportunity analysis method 220. In the example illustrated, four opportunity matches resulted from the execution of the opportunity analysis method 220: a record for opportunity match A 1202, a record for opportunity match B 1204, a record for opportunity match C 1206, and a record for opportunity match D 1208. In this illustration, the information recorded in each opportunity match is the existing product ID 700, related product ID 1004, and related product marketing information 1006. In this example, the related product marketing information 1006 further comprises the related product description 1010, the related product description 1012, the related product search string 1014, and the related product advertisement campaign 1016. Other information provided in the inventory database 404, such as existing product category 702, existing product properties 704, and the like is optionally recorded for each opportunity in the list of marketing information 404.

[0147] The information about the matched opportunities contained in each opportunity match record is derived from the marketing rule knowledge base 214 and the inventory database 402. It is important to note that any information contained in either the marketing rule knowledge base 214 or the inventory database 402 may be utilized by the list of marketing opportunities 404. The items detailed above are for the purposes of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the potential contents of the list of marketing opportunities 404.

[0148] Presentation of Marketing Information to the User

[0149]FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a screen of marketing information presented to the user of the client computer 208 as a result of the execution of the opportunity detection object 216. An active marketing results page 1300 is presented to the user of the client computer 208. The active marketing results page 1300 optionally displays the following information to the user based upon the results of the presentation method 222: an existing product name 1302, an existing product vendor name 1304, existing product information 1306, a marketing link to purchase related products 1308, a marketing link to learn more about related products 1310, and an advertisement 1312 for related products.

[0150] The presentation method 222 of the opportunity detection object 216 analyzes the list of marketing opportunities 404 on the client computer 208 to determine what information to present to the user and how to present it. As illustrated by FIG. 13, the existing product name 1302 displayed to the user is based upon the existing product ID 700 in and is derived from the list of marketing opportunities 404. This existing product name may be the name of a specific product such as “NeoMagic MagicGraph 128XD” or a generic item.

[0151] The existing product vendor name 1304 may be displayed by the presentation method 222 and is also derived from the list of marketing opportunities 404. In another preferred embodiment, the presentation method 222 may read directly from the marketing information database 214, product information database 212, user profile 400 and the like to retrieve any information it requires to display marketing information to the user.

[0152] Other existing product information 1306 may be provided to the user as a result of the execution of the presentation method 222. Other existing product information may be, for example, the existing product version 720, the measurement of size 726, and/or the measurement of free units 728. To illustrate the display of other existing product information 1306, FIG. 13 shows the measurement of size 726 and the measurement free units 728 for the hard disk on the client computer under the Hard Disks category (“You Have: 6 GB total disk space (31% free)”).

[0153] The marketing link to purchase related products 1308 and the marketing link to learn more about related products 1310 are produced by the presentation method 222 based on information in the list of marketing opportunities 404. For every opportunity match record in the list of marketing opportunities 404, the presentation method 222 evaluates the related product information 1006 contained in the opportunity match record. Based on this related product information 1006, the presentation method 222 executes to provide the relevant marketing information to the user of the client computer 208. For example, if the presentation method 222 analyzing an opportunity match record detects a related product description 1010 in the related product information 1006, then the marketing link to learn more about related products 1310 may link to a page comprising the related product ID 1004 and the related product description 1010. In another example, if the presentation method 222 analyzing an opportunity match record detects a related product location 1012 in the related product information 1006, the marketing link to purchase related products 1308 may connect the user to the vendor computer system 202 to purchase the software. In another illustration, if the presentation method 222 analyzing an opportunity match record detects a related product search string 1014 in related product information 1006 designated as purchase information, the marketing link to purchase related products 1308 may connect the user to the vendor computer system 202 with the value of the related product search string 1014 passed as a parameter to a search engine on the vendor computer system 202.

[0154] Another example of marketing information displayed to the user of the client computer is the advertisement 1312 for related products. In a preferred embodiment, the advertisement 1312 displayed to the user is based upon the related product advertisement campaign 1016 in the list of matched opportunities 404. Optionally, the advertisement 1312 displays during a subsequent session between the client computer 208 and the service provider computer system 206. Information about the related product advertisement campaign 1016 specific to the client computer 208 may be accessed by the presentation method 222 resident on the client computer 208 without the need for executing the entire opportunity detection object 216 during the subsequent sessions.

[0155] In summary, the present invention provides a method for accurately creating the inventory database 402 of software and hardware products and components or peripherals on the client computer 208 across the network 204 (with or without explicit acknowledgement by the user of the client computer 208) and marketing related products to the user. Using the method described as part of the present invention, it is possible to identify hardware and software products associated with the client computer 208 and identify marketing opportunities that are triggered by the absence or presence of one or more products and/or a specific value resulting from the execution of a detection command 500 on the client computer 208. The related products marketed to the user by this method are relevant to the user because they are based upon current configuration of the client computer 208 combined, optionally, with the contents of the user profile 400 completed by the user.

[0156] By compiling and maintaining instructions about marketing opportunities from of the marketing rule knowledge base 214 that is analyzed by the opportunity detection object 216, it is possible to provide the user with real, actionable marketing information. As is evident, the marketing information presented to the user may include any combination of commerce opportunities, advertisements displayed to the user, additional information about related products, and the like. By way of example, the user is provided with a simple, accessible way to purchase or learn more about a related product directly relevant to the user's client computer configuration in a number of different ways, such as presenting links to purchase related products 1308 (commerce opportunities), marketing links to learn more about related products 1310 (additional information), advertisements 1312 for related products (advertisement display) based on the contents of the inventory database, and the like.

[0157] A system memory and a hard drive of a computer system, whether the service provider computer system or the client computer, can be utilized to store and retrieve software programs incorporating computer code that implements aspects of the invention, data for use with the invention, and the like. Exemplary computer readable storage media include CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, system memory, hard drive, as well as a data signal embodied in a carrier wave (e.g., in a network such as the Internet).

[0158] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative and that modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is intended to be defined only in terms of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating a client computer inventory associated with a client computer based on a scan of the client computer; and performing an opportunity analysis to identify update opportunities for the client computer inventory; said performing the opportunity analysis utilizing rules of a rule knowledge base.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scan includes scanning for software files.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scan includes scanning for an operating system.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scan includes scanning for hardware peripherals.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scan includes scanning for hardware components.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rule knowledge base includes a rule file defining an opportunity and a condition for an item in the inventory for the opportunity.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the condition includes a predefined value selected from the group consisting of absent, present, optional, and value of a measurable characteristic of the item in the inventory.
 8. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising displaying at least one aspect of the update opportunities to a user of the client computer.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rules of the rule knowledge base involve a user profile associated with the client computer.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rules of the rule knowledge base involve a configuration environment of the client computer.
 11. A computer program product, comprising: computer code for generating a client computer inventory associated with a client computer based on a scan of the client computer; and computer code for performing an opportunity analysis to identify update opportunities for the client computer inventory, the opportunity analysis utilizing rules of a rule knowledge base.
 12. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the scan includes scanning for software files.
 13. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the scan includes scanning for an operating system.
 14. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the scan includes scanning for hardware peripherals.
 15. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the scan includes scanning for hardware components.
 16. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the rule knowledge base includes a rule file defining an opportunity and a condition for an item in the inventory for the opportunity.
 17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the condition includes a predefined value selected from the group consisting of absent, present, optional, and value of a measurable characteristic of the item in the inventory.
 18. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the rules of the rule knowledge base involve a user profile associated with the client computer.
 19. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the rules of the rule knowledge base involve a configuration environment of the client computer.
 20. A method, comprising: scanning a client computer; generating a client computer inventory based on the scanning; performing an opportunity analysis to identify update opportunities for the client computer inventory utilizing rules of a rule knowledge base; displaying at least one aspect of the update opportunities to a user of the client computer; and updating the client computer inventory based on the update opportunities; wherein the rules of the rule knowledge base involve at least one of a user profile and a configuration environment associated with the client computer. 